Simplet (1942)
Directed by Fernandel, Carlo Rim

Film Review

Simplet paints an affectionate portrait of Provençal life, reminiscent of Marcel Pagnol's film depiction of the French rural community in its cosy parochialism, but with the stereotypes reinforced for comic effect.  The film was directed by its star, the comic genius Fernandel, and the result is, not surprisingly, standard Fernandel fare, a whimsical morality tale with plenty of harmless tomfoolery.

This is the tale of an outsider who feigns idiocy to compensate for his inability to win the hand of the girl he loves, who is subjected to the rejection and then adulation of his fellow villagers.  Whilst the story lacks originality, the film has great charm and there are some exquisitely funny moments.  The poignant moments of the film are a little contrived but Fernandel's disarming charm makes even this forgivable.

As in many of Fernandel's films, the comic actor sings a song (On m'appelle Simplet... ) which went on to become a popular success. This, along with Simplet's light-hearted suicide attempt (a comic reaction to poetical realism?), provides one of the film's most memorable highlights.

Film Synopsis

Miéjour and Rocamour are two neighbouring villages in Provence that have been separated by mutual loathing for longer than anyone can remember.  In contrast to the prosperity that Miéjour enjoys, Rocamour is stuck in the doldrums, a place riddled with vice and pestilence.  The happy inhabitants of Miéjour attribute their good fortune to Simplet, the amiable village idiot whose innocence is believed to have protected them from corruption.  Simplet is a simple soul who likes nothing better than to perch in the trees and sigh in vain for his beloved La Cigale, the girlfriend of the fisherman Rascasse.  Then comes the fateful day when Simplet disgraces himself.  When a visiting dignitary comes to unveil an important monument the village idiot is found asleep beside the statue.  Scandalised, the villagers waste no time expelling Simplet from their village, and he has no choice but to settle in Rocamour, where he is welcomed with open arms.  As Miéjour's luck takes a sudden turn for the worse, Rocamour begins to enjoy a prosperity it has never known before - all because of Simplet's presence.  To save her village from ruin, La Cigale agrees to go to Rocamour and try to persuade Simplet to return to Miéjour.  Simplet agrees to do just that, providing La Cigale promises to marry him.  Alas, this is not possible, as the young woman has already lost her heart to another man, P'tit Louis, one of the residents of Rocamour...